Infrared detector

• US 9,541,453 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2010
• Issued: 01/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Tsinghua University
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Tsinghua University
• Inventors: Hu, Chun-Hua, Liu, Chang-Hong, Fan, Shou-Shan
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Igyarto, Carolyn
• Application Number:
  US12/876,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20110315882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,317 Days
• Field of Search: 250/353, 250/338.1, 250/338.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/1626 Arrangements with two photodetectors, the signals of which are compared
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/065 by shielding
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/023 Particular leg structure or construction or shape; Nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/048 Protective parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/064 Ambient temperature sensor; Housing temperature sensor; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/12 using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/14 Electrical features thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/16 Arrangements with respect to the cold junction; Compensating influence of ambient temperature or other variables
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/022 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2031/0344 Organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/81 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/88 Passivation; Containers; Encapsulations
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/221 Carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/17 characterised by the structure or configuration of the cell or thermocouple forming the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/549 Organic PV cells

Abstract

An infrared detector includes a detecting element, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a covering structure. The detecting element defines an absorbing part and a non-absorbing part. The detecting element includes a first end and a second end opposite with the first end. The first end is disposed in the absorbing part. The second end is disposed in the non-absorbing part. The first electrode is electrically connected with the first end. The second electrode is electrically connected with the second end. The covering structure covers the non-absorbing part. The detecting element further includes a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed uniformly.

Claims

1. An infrared detector comprising:

a detecting element comprising a carbon nanotube layer divided into an absorbing part and a non-absorbing part, a first end located in the absorbing part, and a second end located in the non-absorbing part, wherein the absorbing part is configured to absorb infrared, and the carbon nanotube layer is a free-standing and continuous structure;

a first electrode electrically connected with the first end;

a second electrode electrically connected with the second end; and

a covering structure covering the non-absorbing part, to prevent the non-absorbing part from absorbing infrared, and exposing the absorbing part;

wherein the absorbing part is exposed through a plurality of through holes spaced from each other.

2. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotube layer comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed uniformly.

3. The infrared detector of claim 2, wherein the carbon nanotube layer is a pure structure of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

4. The infrared detector of claim 2, wherein a heat capacity per unit area of the carbon nanotube layer structure is less than or equal to about 2×

10<sup>−

4</sup> J/cm2*K.

5. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein the covering structure is an enclosure defining a hollow space, and the detecting element is disposed in the covering structure.

6. The infrared detector of claim 5, wherein the absorbing part of the detecting element faces the plurality of through holes.

7. The infrared detector of claim 1, wherein an area ratio between the absorbing part and the non-absorbing part is in a range from about 1:

2 to about 2;

1.

8. An infrared detector comprising:

a detecting element divided into an absorbing part and a non-absorbing part, wherein the absorbing part is configured to be exposed to a source of infrared and configured to absorb infrared;

a first electrode electrically connected with the absorbing part;

a second electrode electrically connected with the non-absorbing part;

means for sheltering the non-absorbing part from infrared;

wherein the detecting element comprises a carbon nanotube layer structure, and the carbon nanotube layer is a free-standing and continuous structure, both the absorbing part and the non-absorbing part are part of the carbon nanotube layer; and

a net structure configured to shelter the absorbing part, the net structure defines a plurality of through holes spaced from each other, and the absorbing part is exposed through the plurality of through holes.

9. The infrared detector of claim 8, wherein the carbon nanotube layer structure is a pure structure of single-walled carbon nanotubes oriented in a substantially same direction and joined end-to-end by Van der Waals attractive force.

10. The infrared detector of claim 8, wherein the carbon nanotube layer is a planar structure.

11. An infrared detector comprising:

a covering structure, wherein the covering structure defines a hollow space, the covering structure comprises an upper sheet and a lower sheet spaced from each other, the upper sheet defines a light-passing region, and the light-passing region defines a plurality of through holes spaced from each other;

a carbon nanotube layer, wherein the carbon nanotube layer is located on the lower sheet, the carbon nanotube layer is a free-standing and continuous structure and divided into an absorbing part and a non-absorbing part, the absorbing part faces to the light-passing region and configured to absorb infrared through the plurality of through holes, and the non-absorbing part is sheltered by the upper sheet;

both the absorbing part and the non-absorbing part are part of the carbon nanotube layer; and

a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from each other, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to the carbon nanotube layer.